Welcome to General Chat - GAW Community Area
This General Chat area started off as a place for people to talk about things that are off topic, however it has quickly evolved into a community and has become an integral part of the GAW experience for many of us.
Based on its evolving needs and plenty of user feedback, we are trying to bring some order and institute some rules. Please make sure you read these rules and participate in the spirit of this community.
Rules for General Chat
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Be respectful to each other. This is of utmost importance, and comments may be removed if deemed not respectful.
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Avoid long drawn out arguments. This should be a place to relax, not to waste your time needlessly.
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Personal anecdotes, puzzles, cute pics/clips - everything welcome
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Please do not spam at the top level. If you have a lot to post each day, try and post them all together in one top level comment
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Try keep things light. If you are bringing in deep stuff, try not to go overboard.
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Things that are clearly on-topic for this board should be posted as a separate post and not here (except if you are new and still getting the feel of this place)
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If you find people violating these rules, deport them rather than start a argument here.
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Feel free to give feedback as these rules are expected to keep evoloving
In short, imagine this thread to be a local community hall where we all gather and chat daily. Please be respectful to others in the same way
I’m raising my grandchildren. It’s tough. Hugs to you. My daughter teaches elementary art and is a Godsend. The issue is electronics. It keeps their attention span really short. He needs something to do besides the tablet or phone.
One hour at least before bedtime the electronics need to go into Moms bedroom. The last hour he can watch a movie ( not YouTube or cartoons). Something to calm him down. He can choose to read a book put maybe play legos.
When you are there try playing board games. My grandsons are 8 and 10 and love chess and poker. Piker sneakily teaches math but we will let that be our secret. Lol
Maybe he can help cook or build something out of wood even make cards for mom and Dad. Boredom is such a problem for a generation that is used to instant gratification.
I’ll ask my daughter for suggestions. Her method w have always worked for me.
Something she taught me is not to tell but to bend down to their level and speak softly. If you want their attention whisper in their ear. It works like magic
We all live in the country and there is a shortage of bus drivers so there bus has to do two routes. They get home around 4 PM in which I spend that time before their mom gets home helping him do his math. The oldest one doesn;t care about his grades because of the "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND POLICY' and the youngest does excellent in school. The 4 year old is on Nursery Rhymes as he is in Head Start. So the hard to wake ADHD one is the one I spend my afternoon/early evening teaching him the math that he has a hard time of comprehending. Tell your daughter 'Thanks' for the wonderful suggestions. The whisper and speak softly will most likely work.
She also said keeping the routine is a must even if it sucks for Mom a bit. Kids thrive best on routine. Also limit tablet time or make it be educational. My boys love board games and you can get them cheap at thrift stores.